Morning Focus opened with a look at a landmark conviction for the crime of marital rape.
An organising representing survivors of rape in this region is hopeful that yesterday's conviction will encourage others to come forward. Rape Crisis Midwest says it believes the offence is under-reported. The organisation also says this is a crime which can be difficult to prove.
Gavin spoke with Verena Tarpey of Rape Crisis Midwest.
New Fitness to Teach measures are being introduced to sanction under-performing teachers.
Teachers found guilty of misconduct could be banned from the classroom under new Fitness to Teach rules. The system – which comes into force this week (Mon., July 25) – will make it easier to lodge complaints about teachers.
Parents, students and other teachers can report complaints to the Teaching Council, and students could be called on to give evidence before Fitness to Teach inquiries. The Education Minister says the new rules are designed to improve standards in schools. Gavin spoke with Sean McMahon
Deputy Chair Teaching Council of Ireland & Chair of its Investigations Committee and with Katherine Donnelly Irish Independent Education Editor
Morning Focus then heard that the women of Clare are being invited to attend a unique event in October, which is described as 'a festival of feminisms'. 'Silence and Voice' will take place in Ennis over October 8 and 9, and it's organised by Clare Women's Network. Up to 400 participants are expected to join the festival which is described by the Network as 'challenging, empowering, encouraging and exciting'. Among the speakers are Dr Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington.
Gavin heard more from Elaine Dalton of the Clare Women's Network.
The question on everyone's lips following the Clare v Galway hurling match last Sunday (July 24) is what next for Davy Fitzgerald?
The Sixmilebridge man saw his side dumped out of the All-Ireland Championship on Sunday, breaking the hearts of Clare fans everywhere, and making it three years now without a semi-final appearance for the Saffron and Blue. Some have called on him to go in the wake of the result.
Last evening, Gavin got the thoughts of County Board Chairman Joe Cooney about Sunday's loss to Galway and about the manager's future.
Children with cancer are being supported by a cycling event taking place on Sunday week, August 7. Portumna Cycling Club has organised the Aughty Challenge which offers three routes depending on your fitness leves. Families can take part in a 15km cycle with refreshments along the way. For more experienced and adventurous cyclists take part in a 55k or 110k scenic route around the Sliabh Aughty Mountains. The event is in aid of Children’s Cancer Charity Hand in Hand.
Registrations can be made online at www.portumnacc.com. Queries can be sent by email to [email protected], and there's more information on the Portumna Cycling Club on Facebook.
Gavin was joined by John Joe Conwell, the Chair Portumna Cycling Club and by Judith Sibley, the mother of Lily Mai Morrison from Claregalway. Hand-in-Hand supported the family throughout Lily Mai's illness and treatment and Judith is now on the board of Hand-in-Hand.
There was a widespread welcome for news that the Lisdoonvarna Folk Festival is to be revived, after a gap of over 33 years. The popular festival which ran for 6 years in the late '70s and early '80s is being relaunched this weekend. The two day event will be staged in the Burren Store house in Lisdoonvarna a couple of miles away from the original festival, which at its peak attracted over 40,000 people. The idea to bring back the folk festival isn’t new – an attempt by music promoters Jim Shannon and Paddy Doherty in association with Aitken Promotions was made in 2003 but objections from locals, meant it had to be cancelled. The event kicks off in the Burren Store House on Saturday night at 6pm, starting with music from ‘The Reel Time Rockers’, the ‘Doolin Ceili Band’, ‘John Talty and John Blake’. They will be followed by the headline act, Ireland’s finest folk singer Sean Tyrell and his Guests. On Sunday evening, music will get underway again at 6pm with ‘Out the Gap’, ‘Ceol na Mara’, ‘The Same Evans band’ and the closing act of the festival will be a dynamic performance by local traditional band, ‘The Fiddle Case’.
During its short run, the original Lisdoonvarna Festival hosted over 150 including Paul Brady, Rory Gallagher and Van Morrison. It was during this time that Christy Moore, wrote his well-known song, ‘Lisdoonvarna’ in honour of the event.
Gavin was joined in studio by Peter Curtin, festival organiser and by acclaimed musician and singer Sean Tyrrell.
Morning Focus was rounded up by a chat with weekly contributor, Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden.
